Proboscidea lousianica Various Varieties

The delightful (and beautiful!) cluster of white-pink flowers with slightly triangular soft leaves already sparks curiosity. The young fruits are edible like okra: finely slice them and add them to soup as a healthy thickener, or pick them very young with gherkins; the ripe fruits contain edible seeds, which can be eaten raw or cooked, and from which a fine oil can also be pressed. Finally, a black dye can be extracted from the seed pods.
When this Mexican creeping plant reveals its ripening, whimsical, and split fruits, amazement strikes! Slender and curved like a chamois horn and even more eerie when dried! The plant also thrives in a large pot; give it a warm and humid spot.

Names:
Latin: Proboscidea lousianica
Dutch: Gemzehoorn (Chamois Horn)
Also: Vogelvrucht (Bird Fruit)
English: Ram’s Horn, Devil’s Claw